Question

The structure of $Cl{F}_3$ is:

• A. pentagonal bipyramid
• B. trigonal bipyramid
• C. octahedral
• D. tetrahedral

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

trigonal bipyramid

Chlorine trifluoride has 5 regions of electron density around the central chlorine atom (3 bonds and 2 lone pairs). These are arranged in a trigonal bipyramidal shape with a ${175}^{\circ }$ F(axial)-Cl-F(axial) bond angle.

The two lone pairs take equatorial positions because they demand more space than the bonds. The result is a T-shaped molecule.